9:10 AM — 9:55 AMHess’ Hot Button Issues and What He’d Like to See You Do About Them (session #318)
You asked for his return to the ECS National Forum on Education Policy. Here's Rick Hess to help fulfill the ECS goal to "make the body politic itch." Rick will tackle a few of the current education policy issues that we’re all hearing and reading about daily and take us in new directions on how we can or should look at these issues as real opportunities for educational change and reform.PARTICIPANTS

Frederick Hess, Resident Scholar and Director of Education Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, District of Columbia

9:55 AM — 10:05 AMCoffee Break (session #320)

10:05 AM — 11:05 AMBrain Rules and What They Mean for Education (session #325)
Dr. John Medina: At your request, Dr. Medina will be back! The highly entertaining, knowledgeable and engaging molecular biologist and author of Brain Rules and Brain Rules for Baby will address implications for learning and for policy. For a preview, see http://brainrules.net/PARTICIPANTS

John Medina, Developmental Molecular Biologist, University of Washington School of Medicine, Washington

11:05 AM — 11:15 AMBreak (session #326)

11:15 AM — 12:15 PMMore with John Medina (session #330)
This is your chance to question Dr. Medina more deeply about the ways in which state policy could better build on his research. For a preview, see http://brainrules.net/.PARTICIPANTS

John Medina, Developmental Molecular Biologist, University of Washington School of Medicine, Washington

David Longanecker, President, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Colorado

11:15 AM — 12:15 PMThe Common Core: Out of the Chute and Into the Arena (session #333)
This session looks at critical considerations, next steps and advice from states “leading the ride” regarding the implementation of the Common Core State Standards.PARTICIPANTS

Rebecca Garland, Chief Academic Officer, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, North Carolina

11:15 AM — 12:15 PMWith All of Our High School Reforms, Why Are Kids Still Not Well-Prepared for College and Work? (session #334)
In spite of increasing graduation requirements and raising the bar on high school assessments, recent reports indicate that far too many students are ill-prepared for entry into college, work or the military. This session explores means by which states can potentially move the needle on college- and career-readiness for all students.PARTICIPANTS

Elaine Allensworth, Co-director for Statistical Analysis, University of Chicago, Illinois

2:15 PM — 3:30 PMThe Real Story of Remedial Education (session #351)
This session will explore the role of remedial education can and should play in state efforts to increase college completion. We will explore who is to "blame" for remedial education, what are the real costs and how state policymakers could construct a public dialogue in their state around increasing the success of students in remedial education.PARTICIPANTS

Thomas Bailey, Director, Community College Research Center, Teachers College Columbia University, New York

Uri Treisman, Professor of Mathematics and Executive Director, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas

Jane Wellman, Executive Director, National Association of System Heads, District of Columbia

3:30 PM — 5:00 PMSuccessful Remedial Education Reform Strategies (session #352)
This session will look at how states and systems can develop comprehensive strategies that will increase the college success of students who enroll in developmental education.PARTICIPANTS

Shanna Smith Jaggars, Senior Research Associate, Columbia University, New York

2:00 PM — 4:00 PMBuilding the Next Generation of P-20 System Alignment (session #355)
Getting agencies to work together is tough business, and state-level P-20 councils have been accused (rightly or wrongly) of window-dressing. This session will explore the following questions: What is a truly P-20 system? What are the benefits of establishing such a system? Is the creation of a P-20 council necessary? What are the key leverage points to make a genuine P-20 system a reality in your state?PARTICIPANTS